The electoral campaigns in Puerto Rico and the United States are already in full swing, making it essential to prepare to make informed decisions during the November 5 elections. In today’s saturated world of information and images, distinguishing between fake news, disinformation, and reliable sources is more important than ever.

With the rise of digital tools and artificial intelligence, false and misleading information is being produced at an accelerated rate. To stay up to date, it’s imperative to investigate before accepting information from social media as true — especially before sharing it.

What is False Information?

False information is misleading content presented as legitimate news. It can include stories that are knowingly false, published with the intent of manipulating public opinion or increasing web traffic. It can also involve stories containing elements of truth but mixed with exaggerations or inaccurate data.

This type of content often spreads rapidly on social media, where it can travel even faster than legitimate news. These stories usually appeal to emotions, making them easy to click on and share. Fake social media accounts and trolls, or disguised enthusiasts, play a significant role in spreading this type of information.

Key Tips to Stay Accurately Informed and Avoid
Misinformation:

Verify the Media Outlet Publishing the Content

• Check the web address (URL) and the “About Us” section of the site linked to the content. Ensure that the information comes from a well-known, reputable media outlet.

• Ask yourself, “Could this be a joke?” Some satirical sites publish humorous content that looks serious.

Analyze the Content

• Look for facts, statistics, and quotes from recognized experts.

• Pay attention to the quality of writing; fake news often contains grammatical and spelling errors.

• If the content has a sensationalist tone or the headline is designed to provoke an emotional reaction, scrutinize the information more carefully.

Corroborate the Information

• Use multiple sources. Confirm the news through several reliable media outlets.

• If only one outlet or individual reports a story, try to corroborate it elsewhere.

• Authentic news typically cites verifiable sources and documents.

Be Wary of Social Networks

• Social networks can quickly spread unverified information.
• Anonymous information is a red flag.

• Be aware of bots and trolls: fake profiles and automated accounts are often used to spread disinformation.

Develop Critical Thinking

• Always ask yourself who benefits from the information and what its purpose might be.

• Stay updated on new disinformation techniques and how to combat them.

• Reflect on your own biases and consider how your beliefs may influence your response or reaction.

Verify the Author of the Story

• Check that the journalist’s name is listed at the beginning of the story. Do you recognize the name? What is their reputation?

• Determine if the writer is a journalist (informative content) or an expert/commentator (opinion piece).

• If there is no byline, check whether the source of the information is indicated.

Verify the Authenticity of Images

• Artificial intelligence can be used to create fake images.

• Utilize tools like Google’s reverse image search to identify the origin of a photo.

• If a photo seems too incredible to be real, it may indeed be fake.

Follow Reliable Media and Journalists on Social
Media

• Evaluate the credibility and track record of the media you follow, and seek out additional sources, even if they don’t always align with your point of view.